More help for less-able passengers

[whole diary]

[Marlburian]

Meridian TV report

Jane Waller was at Tilehurst Station this morning with a colleague who, I think, was being trained. Waiting on the platform, I was glancing through Metro and only noticed a lady in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) uniform out of the corner of my eye. My first thought was that she was going to board the next train and check tickets, so I mentally checked where I'd put mine - and my Senior Railcard.

She cheerfully gave me "Good Morning" and we chatted for a few minutes. We boarded the train together and when I got off at Goring she and her colleague wished me a nice day.

[Bmblbzzz]

Good to see and let's hope it spreads throughout the network nationwide.

On a somewhat more prospective note, I read a magazine article – I'm afraid I can't remember if it was in whatever rail magazine I flicked through in Sainsbury's or in Transport Engineer magazine I saw in the library – suggesting the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) are wonderful but longterm should be replaced by something with a flat floor at standard height in order to enable wheelchairs to roll straight on and off without ramps, and that stations with curved platforms (such as Temple Meads) would eventually have to be rebuilt to enable this.